Margaret Catherine Sullivan 1861 - 1950

Denis Sullivan and Margaret McLaren's second daughter, Margaret Sullivan, was born on 11 Jul 1861 at Rochedale Station, between Wandoan and Taroom.

Denis's occupation was recorded (after some indecision) as "carpenter" and he was absent at the time of Margaret's birth. The "informant" to the birth was James Hooke, the same gentleman whose name appeared in the Weranga sheep advertisement.

Hooke was the owner of Rochedale and sold the property in 1862.

1861 Part of Margaret Sullivan's birth certificate

Rochedale Station homestead, birthplace of Margaret Sullivan - photo taken 30 years later in 1890.

Margaret accompanied her mother around the country - see The Sullivans in Court - and then returned to Rochedale after 1874. Around 1877 she moved to Roma where she married Otto Ahrens.

4 Nov 1880 Ahrens – Sullivan wedding Margaret Catherine Sullivan, second daughter of Denis Sullivan and Margaret McLaren, married Albert Otto Ahrens in Roma. Otto was first a policeman and later a publican (Bowen Hotel, Roma) and butcher.

​The Bowen Hotel, constructed in 1865 by Otto's father, Charles Ahrens (1837 - 1882), was located on the corner of Bowen and Gregory Streets. It was demolished in 1923.​

7 Jul 1950 Western StarObituary. The death occurred on Wed Jun 28 of Mrs Margaret Catherine Ahern. She was born at Rockdale (SIC) Station, Dawson on July 12, 1862 (incorrect - 11 Jul 1861) and came to Roma at the age of 16 years, marrying a short time after arriving. The railway line then was only as far as Blythdale. In the early days Mr. and Mrs. Ahern kept the Bowen Hotel and later followed a butchering business in Roma for many years.

Her husband predeceased her 48 years ago, leaving a large family, the youngest of which were three-week-old twins.She is survived by five sons: Albert (Brisbane), Walter (Bundaberg), Denis, Donald and Gordon (Roma), one daughter Mrs. Neilson (Ipswich).

Four sons Thomas, Charles, Otto, James and two daughters Catherine (Mrs. Kenrade), and Jenny predeceased her. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Q & A: Questions and (possible) Answers:

Q1. Why did the Western Star spell her name "Ahern"?A1. By 1950, “Ahrens” was often spelt “Ahern.” Both spellings are used by her children.

Q2. Did Margaret employ traditional McLaran or Sullivan christian names for her children?A2. Margaret named several of her children after members of the McLaren and Sullivan families: Donald, Catherine (first name Margaret), Agnes, Jane and Denis. And perhaps Walter, after Walter Goodman. Gordon and Donald were twins born 3 weeks before their father's death.

Q3. Who was Otto Ahrens?A3. Albert Otto Ahrens (1860 - 1902) was born in Dalby. He was a policeman, publican, butcher and land owner. He lived in the Dalby area prior to moving to Roma. Otto was survived by 8 of his 12 children. His father, Charles Frederick Augustus Ahrens, was born in Brunswick, Germany. His mother, Catherine Maloney (1836 - 1876), was born in Ireland. Otto had at least 7 siblings and half-siblings.

Q4. When did Margaret Sullivan and Otto Ahrens marry?A4. They married in Roma on 4 Nov 1880. Otto was 20 years of age and Margaret 19.

Q5. How many descendants of Margaret Sullivan are buried in Roma Cemetery?A4. Too many to count.

Q6. Was Margaret Sullivan living with her mother Margaret when she died at Retro Station in 1874?A6. Margaret was 13 years old when her mother died. Her older sister Ellen was living at Weranga Station in 1874. It appears from her 1950 obituary that between 1868 and 1873, Margaret returned to Rochedale Station and moved to Roma around 1877. Refer my conclusion on Margaret's page.